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Dyche: I was told to get my players diving

Burnley Sean Dyche revealed a former Premier League manger told him to have his players diving more in games, with the relegation-threatened Clarets feeling hard done by following a lack of penalties given to them, while the likes of divers in the league are punished, reports Sky Sports.

This season in the Premier League, Burnley have at times felt they haven’t been awarded penalties or free-kicks due to their players not going down under every challenge, which could well be costly in the Clarets’ bid to avoid relegation. Manager Sean Dyche said he’s been told by an ex manager of the top-flight to encourage his players to dive more in a bid to win set pieces.

Burnley have been an honest team in the Premier League, but it will stand for nothing if they suffer relegation at the end of the season. They need goals and results, and penalties can be a key part for them to achieve this. Dyche admits his players’ honesty could be their downfall this season, but isn’t planning on changing the style with his players, as he’s always favoured the more honest approach.

He said: There is a certain way of playing. I believe the team play in the correct manner. There’s been minimal, if any, simulation from our players. I see it constantly in this league, more so than I ever thought I would.”

“At this level we have been naive at times, in the right way. I think that’s sad that players just can’t go out and play and get decisions that they should get. One prominent manager I am not going to name said to me, ‘You are being naive, you should get your players to move with the times’. It’s not my belief. You should play the game properly.”